Shuttlecock and launching apparatus including lengthening coupler

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus including a launching member adapted to be operated by a player and a projectile member separably mounted on the launching member for launching by the player from one position adjacent the player to another position remote therefrom. The launching member comprises an elongated, resilient pole and a projectile member is of a shuttlecock-like construction being mounted for sliding movement along the length of the pole for launching from one end thereof toward the remote location. A target assembly is mounted remotely from the player being arranged for scoring registration with the projectile member. The target assembly includes a base having a target member detachably mounted thereon which is adapted to be detached from the base when struck by the projectile member after launching by the player.

United States Patent 1191 Knisely, Jr.

[ SHUTTLECOCK AND LAUNCHING APPARATUS INCLUDING LENGTHENING COUPLER [76] Inventor: George L. Knisely, Jr., 43151 Dellefield Rd., Elyria, 01110 44035 221 Filed: Feb. 7, 1972 21 Appl. No: 223,934

France 273/96 B [451 Mar. 19, 1974 Primary E.tamt'ner-Anton O. Oeschsle Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Teare, Teare & Sammon [5 7] ABSTRACT A game apparatus including a launching member adapted to be operated by a player and a projectile member separably mounted on the launching member for launching by the player from one position adjacent the player to another position remote therefrom. The launching member comprises an elongated, resilient pole and a projectile member is of a shuttlecock-like construction being mounted for sliding movement along the length of the pole for launching from one end thereof toward the remote location. A target assembly is mounted remotely from the player being arranged for scoring registration with the projectile member. The target assembly includes a base having a target member detachably mounted thereon which is adapted to be detached from the base when struck by the projectile member after launching by the player.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBHAR 19 saw I 3Q797l472 FIG? SHUTTLECOCK AND LAUNCHING APPARATUS INCLUDING LENGTHENING COUPLER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to game apparatuses, and more particularly, those game apparatuses which employ a projectile and a means for projecting the projectile.

For one reason or another, individuals have always been fascinated or intrigued by the challenge offered in controlling the flight of a projectile, and thus, many game apparatuses have been devised which employ numerous types of projectiles and implements for projecting these projectiles, such as baseball, golf, hockey, tennis, etc. It cannot be contested that these games offer a considerable challenge to an individual in con trolling the flight of the projectile employed. In fact, they generally require a degree of athletic prowess in order to play them, or at least, to enjoy them, which is not normally attainable by the average individual unless considerable time and effort is spent in practice. Therefore, it is the purpose of the present invention to provide a new and novel game which can be played and enjoyed by all individuals regardless of their degree of skill, and which can also be used as an instrumentality for determining the relative athletic prowess of more highly skilled individuals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates providing a new and novel game apparatus which comprises a launching member adapted to be held by a player for imparting a rearward pre-launch position and a forward launch position. The projectile member is slidably mounted on the launching member adjacent the launching portion for sliding movement along the launching portion in a direction away from the handle portion. The launching portion includes a retaining means for supporting the projectile member on the launching portion in laterally spaced relation from the handle portion for properly positioning the projectile member thereon. Thelaunching member comprises an elongated, resilient pole member and the projectile member is of a shuttlecoeklike construction. The launching member is deformable in its lengthwise direction for creating a whip-like action when movedfrom rearward pre-launch position to its forward launch position. The projectile member includes an elongated guide means having an axially extending bore for slidably receiving the launching member therethrough for controlling the direction of flight of the projectile member. A target means is mounted at a predetermined location remote the player being adapted for scoring registration with the projectile member upon launching by the player. The target means comprises a base adapted for attachment to the ground and a target member detachably mounted on the base being adapted to be detached therefrom upon striking contact with the projectile member. The target means includes magnetic means for securing the target member to the base member to prevent detachment of the target member from the base member by means other than striking contact by the projectile member.

As can be seen, there is provided a unique game apparatus which can be played by one or more players, and which can be played and enjoyed by such players regardless of their athletic prowess. Still further, such apparatus is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and it does not require a special playing area or the participation of other players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation showing a player using the game apparatus of the present inventon with the apparatus in the pre-launch position;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a player using the game apparatus of the present invention showing the apparatus in the post-launch position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevation view of the launching member of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the projectile member of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side elevation view of the target assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5, and;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now again to FIG. 1, there is illustrated, generally at 2, the game apparatus of the present invention which is shown as including a launching member 4 having a projectile member 6 mounted thereon. As shown, the projectile member 6 is separably mounted on the launching member being retained thereon when the launching member is supported in a generally upright position by a player, shown schematically at P. By this arrangement, when the launching member 4 is moved generally forwardly and angularly by the player about its supported end between a rearward prelaunched position (FIG. 1) to a forward launching position (FIG. 2) the acceleration force applied to the projectile member 6 by the launching member 4 will cause the projectile member 6 to be hurled from the unsupported end of the launching; member to a distant location, such as at B,which is remote from the location of the player, such as at A. bone form of the game apparatus 2, a target assembly 10 may be mounted on a support surface, such as the ground G, at the location B, being adapted for scoring registration with the projectile member 6. Scoring registration may be achieved by striking the target assembly 10 with the projectile member 6 or may be determined by the relative proximity of the projectile member 6 to the target assembly 10 when the former has come to rest on the ground after being launched by the player. In another form of the game apparatus, the target assembly may be eliminated, and the launching member 4 and projectile member 6 may be used alone with the player attempting to launch the projectile member 6 to a position as remote from the location A as possible.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the launching member 4 is shown as including a launching portion 12 at one end for supporting the projectile thereon and a handle portion 14 at the opposite end being adapted to be held by the player P for actuating the launching member, as aforesaid, to hurl the projectile member therefrom. As shown, the launching portion 12 includes a retaining means 16 adapted for seating engagement with the projectile member 6 for properly and uniformly positioning the projectile member 6 on the launching member 4.

The launching portion 14 comprises an elongated pole which may be of any suitable construction, but is shown as comprising a unitary construction including a pair of relatively short, thin rods and 22 which are connected in end-to-end relation. As shown, the rod 20 is connected at one end, as at 26, in generally axially aligned relation to one end, as at 27, of the rod 22 by a retaining assembly 16 in a manner which will be described more fully hereinafter. The rod 20 and 22 may be made of any generally rigid yet resilient, deformable material, such as plastic, fiberglass, metal or the like, to achieve a whip-like action upon rapid angular displacement of the pole 14 by the player P.

The handle portion 12 may be of any suitable construction but in the form shown comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical sleeve or grip 18 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the rods 20 and 22 so that it can be comfortably and tightly gripped by the hand of the player P. The grip 18 may be made of any suitable non-slippery material, such as plastic, rubber, cork or the like. As shown, the grip 18 is disposed in surrounding relation to the rod 22 and may be attached thereto in any suitable manner, such as by pressfit, adhesives, fusing or the like.

The rods 20 and 22 forming the pole 14 may be of a hollow or solid (as shown) construction, and in their connected relationship may taper linearly in the lengthwise dimension thereof from one end, such as at 25, adjacent the grip 18 to the opposite, distal end, as at 29. For example, a pole 14 having a diameter adjacent the ends 25 and 29 of 0.312 inches and 0.187 inches, respectively, and an overall length of approximately 59 inches, as indicated by the dimension a in FIG. 3, has performed extremely satisfactoryly. It is to be understood that these dimensions could vary considerably, as could the cross sectional dimensions of the rods 20 and 22, and thus the pole 14, and still achieve satisfactory results. That is, the rods 20 and 22 could be substantially uniform in cross section throughout their length as well as be of other configurations, such as rectangular, triangular, etc.

The retaining assembly 16 is provided on the pole 14 to limit movement of the projectile member 6 in the lengthwise direction of the pole 14 toward the grip 18 in order to uniformly position the projectile member 6 thereon. In the form shown, the retaining assembly 16 comprises a segmented fitting 32 which includes one coupling member 33 attached to the rod 20 and another coupling member 34 attached to the rod 22. As shown, the fitting 52 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the rod 20 and 22 so as to include oppositely disposed, generally axially aligned bores 35 and 36 at its opposite ends which are disposed in the coupling members 33 and 34, respectively, for receiving the ends 26 and 27 of the rods 20 and 22, respectively. The adjacent ends 26 and 27 of the rod 20 and 22 may be secured within the bores 35 and 36, respectively, in any suitable manner, such as by press-fit or the like. The coupling member 33 and 34 may be connected to one another by a threaded projection 38 on the coupling member 33 which may be threadably inserted into a complimentary threaded bore 39 in a coupling member 34. By this arrangement, the pole 14 may be dismantled so as to reduce the overall length thereof during storage.

The coupling member 33, as shown, includes an angular flange 41 at the end remote from the projection 39 which projects radially outwardly from the rod 20 for abutting seated engagement with the projectile member 6 for limiting the movement of the projectile member 6 in a lengthwise direction of the pole 14 in the direction toward the grip 18. As shown, the flange 41 is positioned forwardly of the grip 18 being disposed generally intermediately between the opposed distal ends 25 and 29 of the pole 14. in practice, it has been found that positioning the flange 41 approximately 26 inches from the end 29 remote from the grip 18, when using a pole 14 having the previously mentioned length and diameter, very satisfactory bending characteristics are achieved in the lenthwise dimension of the pole 14 to achieve the whip-like action as previously mentioned.

The projectile member 6 is shown as including a base portion 40 having an enlarged bulbous head 42 at one end, such as its forward end, and a flared tail portion 44 at its opposite or rear end. The base portion 40 comprises an elongated, cylindrical tube 46 which may include an annular collar 48 disposed generally intermediately between the forward and rearward ends thereof. The tube 46 includes an axially extending bore 47 which extends the full length of the tube 46 for receiving the rod 20 of the pole 14 in sliding relation there through. Preferably, the bore 49 has a minimum transverse dimension greater than the maximum dimension of the rod 20 between the flange 41 and the free distal end 29 thereof to enable free sliding movement of the projectile member 6 therealong. Further, the flange 41 has a minimum dimension greater than the maximum dimension of the bore 47 adjacent the rear end thereof, as at 51, so that the flange will provide an abutment for seated engagement with the end of the tube 46 adjacent the tail portion 44, of the projectile member 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, the head 42 is of a sleeve-like construction being generally cylindrical in transverse section including an axially extending bore 49 for receiving one end of the tube 46 therethrough such as by press-fit or the like. Preferably, the portion of the tube 46 inserted within the bore 49 is shorter in length than the bore 49 such that the tube 46 will not project outwardly from the front end of the head 42 and the rear end of the head 42 will abuttingly engage one side of the collar 48 in the mounted position thereof.

The tail portion 44 includes a support collar 50 for receiving the opposite end of the tube 46 therein, such as by press-fit or the like, and is disposed in abutting engagement with the opposite side of the collar 48; As shown, a plurality of strut-like arms 52 are attached in laterally spaced relation around the periphery of the collar 50 and extend generally outwardly and rearwardly in flared relation therefrom. Cross pieces 54 interconnect the arms 52 thereby forming a web-like construction which controls the flight of the projectile member 6 causing it to glide or float when in flight.

Preferably, the head 42 is provided with a blunted nose 56 which may be made of resilient, deformable material, such as rubber, plastic, or the like, so as to reduce or prevent damage to itself, or the target assembly or to some other obstruction upon striking contact by the projectile member 6 after it has been launched. Likewise, the tube 46 and tail portion 44 may be made of a similar resilient, deformable material to prevent damage thereto upon striking such obstructions, and thus, assure repeated use of the projectile member. In practice, it has been found that a projectile member 6, as described, having an overall weight of approximately 2 ozs. and including a tube 46 having a length of rap proximately 3 inches has performed extremely satisfactorily.

When desired, a target assembly 10 may be utilized which may comprise a target member 58 and a support member 60, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The support member 60 is adapted for attachment to the ground G at a predetermined location, such as the location B, as shown in FIG. 1. In the form shown, the target member 58 comprises a ball-like structure which may be made of any suitable material, such as rubber, plastic, or the like, and which is detachably supported on the support member 60.

The support member 60 comprises a T-like structure which includes an enlarged head portion 62 having a bottom surface 63 adapted for seated engagement with the ground G. A stake portion 64 depends downwardly from the head portion 62 being adapted to be driven into the ground G for anchoring the head portion 62 at the location B when desired.

As shown, the head portion 62 includes a concave depression 66 for receiving the target member 58 in seated engagement therein. Preferably the depression 66 has a radius of curvature which is approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the target member 58 to provide firm seating engagement therebetween and prevent the undesired removal of the targetmember 58 from the support member 60, such as by a brisk wind when playing outdoors. To further assure that the target member 58 is retaincdon the support member 60, a detachment assembly 67 may be provided which includesmagnetic member 68 and 70 which may be secured to the target member 58 and the head portion 62, respectively, such as by an adhesive or the like. The depression 66 may include a central recess 72 in which the magnetic member 68 may be inserted for magnetic interaction with the magnetic member 70, and thus, facilitate alignment of the magnetic members 68 and 70, and further, to enable flush seating engagement of the target member 58 on the head portion 62.

Referring now to FIG. 5 and6, a measuring means 74 is attached to the target member 10 adjacent the head portion 62 for measuring the linear distance along the ground between the target member 58 and the projectile member 6 when the projectile member 6 fails to strike the target member 58 and comes to rest on the ground B in spaced relation therefrom. As shown, the head portion 62 includes an annular recess 76 which is spaced upwardly from the bottom surface 63. A flexible element 80, such as a rope or the like, is provided which includes a loop portion 78 at one end for attachmentto the head portion 62. The loop portion 78 is looped around the head portion 62 within the recess 76. By this arrangement, when the rope 80 is pulled tightly, it will extend generally radially and linearly away from the center of the target member 58, and can be swung angularly about the central axis of the stake portion 64- for alignment with the projectile member 6 resting on the ground adjacent to the target assembly 10. The rope may be provided with indicia elements as at 82 in its lengthwise direction such that the relative distance of one or more projectile members, such as 6, from the center of the target member 58 can be com pared and/or measured.

In using the game apparatus 2 of the present invention, the player P mounts the projectile member 6 on the launching member 4 by inserting the distal end 29 of the pole 14 through the bore 47 in the tube 46, and then slides the projectile member 6 along the length of the pole 14 until it is in seated engagement with the flange 41. While positioned at one location, such as at A in FIG. 1, the player supports the pole 14 in a generally upright position by grasping the grip 18 in his hand, and then, moves the pole 14 rearwardly and angularly by any combination of arms and wrist movement to the pre-launch position, such as at an angle of approximately 45 with respect to the ground level, as indicated in FIG. l. The player P then rapidly moves the pole 14 angularly and forwardly such that it is pivoted about its distal end 25. The force applied to the projectile member 6 in this manner will cause the projectile member 6 to slide lengthwise along the pole 14 and be hurled from the distal end 29. The rate of forward angular acceleration of the pole 14 between the prelaunch position and the forward launch position, as well as, the angular position of the pole 14 to the ground level at the time the projectile member 6 leaves the end 29 of the pole 14 will control the distance and path traveled by the projectile member 6. For example, the height of the trajectory of the projectile member 6, generally, will be determined by how far forwardly the pole 14 is from the pre-launch position, that is, should the projectile member 6 leave the pole 14 when the pole 14 is in a generally perpendicular position with respect to the ground level the trajectory of the projectile member 6 will be higher than when the projectile member 6 leaves the pole 14 when it is in a more forwardly position, such as at an angle of 45 with respect to the ground level as shown in FIG. 2.

The player P may attempt to hurl the projectile member 6 as far as he can for his own enjoyment or may compete with others in doing so. On the other hand, the player may prefer to aim at a specific target assembly, such as at 10 in FIG. 1, which is positioned at a location B a predetermined distance from the location of the player, such as at A. Similarly, the player P may compete with other players in attempting to come as close as possible to the target member 58 or, ultimately, knock the target member 58 off of the support member 60, as aforesaid.

I claim:

1. A game apparatus comprising,

an elongated launching member,

a projectile member slidably mounted on said launching member for launching from said launching member,

said launching member includes a deformable, resilient pole member having a launching end for supporting said projectile member thereon and a sup port end remote from said launching end,

a grip member adjacent the support end of said pole member to enable a player to support said launching member in a generally upright position and to move said launching member between a rearward pre-launch position and a forward launch position,

said pole member is deformable in its lengthwise direction to enable flexing of said pole between said launching end and said support end for maximizing the launching acceleration of said projectile member,

retaining means on said pole member between said launching end and said support end for supporting said projectile member in laterally spaced relation from said support end in the upright position of said launching member,

said retaining means including an abutment positioned between said launching end and said support end for engagement with said projectile member,

said projectile member includes a tubular guide member having an axially extending bore for receiving said pole member therethrough,

said guide member having an axial length less than the length of said launching end of said launching member,

said bore having a minimum transverse dimension greater than the maximum transverse dimension of said pole adjacent said launching end to provide clearance for free sliding movement of said projectile member along the length of said launching member away from said retaining means during launching movement of said projectile member,

said projectile member is separable from said launching member to enable said projectile member to be launched from said launching end to a location remote from said player on launching movement of said launching member by said player,

said pole member is formed by a pair of axially aligned rod members including,

one rod member forming said launching end and another rod member forming said support end,

a coupling member interconnects said one rod member with said other rod member in the assembled condition of said pole member, and

said coupling having a transverse dimension greater than the adjacent ends of said rod members for increasing the stiffness of said pole member between said rod member for maximizing the launching acceleration of said projectile member.

2. A game apparatus in accordance with claim 1,

wherein said projectile member is of a shuttlecock construction including a body, and

said body including a head portion at one end and a tail portion at its opposite end.

3. A game apparatus in accordance with claim 2,

wherein said guide means extends generally axially through said body and said tail portion,

,said head being disposed adjacent one end of said guide member,

said tail portion including a plurality of laterally spaced arm members,

said arm members extending outwardly from said guide member and away from said head portion, and

cross pieces interconnect said arm members to form a web construction for controlling the flight of the projectile member to cause it to glide or float when in flight.

4. A game apparatus in accordance with claim 1,

wherein said pole member is of a tapered construction having the transverse dimension along its launching end decreasing in a direction away from said support end to provide adequate clearance between said projectile member and said pole member and assure free sliding movement of said projectile member along said pole member in the flexed condition thereof.

5. A game apparatus in accordance with claim 4,

wherein said pole member is of a tapered construction having the transverse dimension along its support end increasing in a direction away from said launching end.

6. A game apparatus in accordance with claim 1,

wherein said abutment is positioned closer to said launching end than to said support end.

7. A game apparatus comprising,

an elongated launching member, 4

a projectile member slidably mounted on said launching member for launching from said launching member,

. said launching member includes a deformable, resilient pole member having a launching end for supporting said projectile member thereon and a support end remote from said launching end,

a grip member disposed adjacent the support end of said pole member to enable a player to support said launching member in a generally upright position and to move said launching member between a rearward pre-launch position and a forward launch position,

said pole member is deformable in its lengthwise direction being formed by a pair of axially aligned, deformable rod members to enable flexing of said pole between said launching end and said support end,

one of said rod members forming said launching end and the other of said rod members forming said support end,

retaining means coupling said one rod member to said other rod member in end-to-end relation for supporting said projectile member in laterally spaced relation from said-grip member in the upright position of said launching member,

said projectile member includes a tubular guide member having an axially extending bore for receiving said launching end of said pole member therethrough,

said guide member having an axial length less than the length of said launching end of said pole member,

said bore having a minimum transverse dimension greater than the maximum transverse dimension of said pole adjacent said launching end,

said one rod member of said pole having its transverse dimension decreasing in a direction away from said retaining means to provide clearance for free sliding movement of said projectile member along the length of said launching member away from said retaining means in theflexed launching condition of said launching member,

said projectile member is separable from said launching member to enable said projectile member to be launched from said launching end to a location remote from said player on launching movement of said launching member by said player. 

1. A game apparatus comprising, an elongated launching member, a projectile member slidably mounted on said launching member for launching from said launching member, said launching member includes a deformable, resilient pole member having a launching end for supporting said projectile member thereon and a support end remote from said launching end, a grip member adjacent the support end of said pole member to enable a player to support said launching member in a generally upright position and to move said launching member between a rearward pre-launch position and a forward launch position, said pole member is deformable in its lengthwise direction to enable flexing of said pole between said launching end and said support end for maximizing the launching acceleration of said projectile member, retaining means on said pole member between said launching end and said support end for supporting said projectile member in laterally spaced relation from said support end in the upright position of said launching member, said retaining means including an abutment positioned between said launching end and said support end for engagement with said projectile member, said projectile member includes a tubular guide member having an axially extending bore for receiving said pole member therethrough, said guide member having an axial length less than the length of said launching end of said launching member, said bore having a minimum transverse dimension greater than the maximum transverse dimension of said pole adjacent said launching end to provide clearance for free sliding movement of said projectile member along the length of said launching member away from said retaining means during launching movement of said projectile member, said projectile member is separable from said launching member to enable said projectile member to be launched from said launching end to a location remote from said player on launching movement of said launching member by said player, said pole member is formed by a pair of axially aligned rod members including, one rod member forming said launching end and another rod member forming said support end, a coupling member interconnects said one rod member with said other rod member in the assembled condition of said pole member, and said coupling having a transverse dimension greater than the adjacent ends of said rod members for increasing the stiffness of said pole member between said rod member for maximizing the launching acceleration of said projectile member.
 2. A game apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said projectile member is of a shuttlecock construction including a body, and saiD body including a head portion at one end and a tail portion at its opposite end.
 3. A game apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said guide means extends generally axially through said body and said tail portion, said head being disposed adjacent one end of said guide member, said tail portion including a plurality of laterally spaced arm members, said arm members extending outwardly from said guide member and away from said head portion, and cross pieces interconnect said arm members to form a web construction for controlling the flight of the projectile member to cause it to glide or float when in flight.
 4. A game apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pole member is of a tapered construction having the transverse dimension along its launching end decreasing in a direction away from said support end to provide adequate clearance between said projectile member and said pole member and assure free sliding movement of said projectile member along said pole member in the flexed condition thereof.
 5. A game apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said pole member is of a tapered construction having the transverse dimension along its support end increasing in a direction away from said launching end.
 6. A game apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said abutment is positioned closer to said launching end than to said support end.
 7. A game apparatus comprising, an elongated launching member, a projectile member slidably mounted on said launching member for launching from said launching member, said launching member includes a deformable, resilient pole member having a launching end for supporting said projectile member thereon and a support end remote from said launching end, a grip member disposed adjacent the support end of said pole member to enable a player to support said launching member in a generally upright position and to move said launching member between a rearward pre-launch position and a forward launch position, said pole member is deformable in its lengthwise direction being formed by a pair of axially aligned, deformable rod members to enable flexing of said pole between said launching end and said support end, one of said rod members forming said launching end and the other of said rod members forming said support end, retaining means coupling said one rod member to said other rod member in end-to-end relation for supporting said projectile member in laterally spaced relation from said grip member in the upright position of said launching member, said projectile member includes a tubular guide member having an axially extending bore for receiving said launching end of said pole member therethrough, said guide member having an axial length less than the length of said launching end of said pole member, said bore having a minimum transverse dimension greater than the maximum transverse dimension of said pole adjacent said launching end, said one rod member of said pole having its transverse dimension decreasing in a direction away from said retaining means to provide clearance for free sliding movement of said projectile member along the length of said launching member away from said retaining means in the flexed launching condition of said launching member, said retaining means has a transverse dimension greater than that of the pole member adjacent thereto such that the stiffness of the pole member is increased between the launching end and the support end for maximizing the launching acceleration of said projectile member, and said projectile member is separable from said launching member to enable said projectile member to be launched from said launching end to a location remote from said player on launching movement of said launching member by said player. 